58 JUNIPER. 



All the medicinal properties of the Juniper may be said to be 

 concentrated in the berries, which, in addition to the qualities 

 already mentioned, are stomachic, diaphoretic, and diuretic. Their 

 carminative action on the stomach is manifested by their power of 

 relieving" dyspepsia, increasing the appetite, and promoting diges- 

 tion. The impression they exert upon the stomach is extended to 

 other organs, especially the kidneys. Of their efficacy in many 

 hydropical affections, we have various relations by physicians of 

 great authority, as Du Verney, Hoffman, Boerhaave, and his illus- 

 trious commentator, Baron Von Swieten, &c. ;* but, notwithstand- 

 ing the eulogia of some, and the disparagement of others, they 

 form a valuable anti-hydropic remedy, and more particularly in 

 combination with other diuretics. The benefits derived from their 

 use in atony of the primaa viae, chronic pulmonary catarrhs, 

 catarrhs of the vagina or urethral canal, atonic gout and rheu- 

 matism, hypochondriasis, scurvy, leucorrhoea, and many other dis- 

 orders, are attested by different writers. Some observers! have 

 declared them to be singularly useful in expelling gravel and 

 calculi. They are certainly an excellent remedy in diseases of the 

 kidneys, bringing away both gravel and mucus in great abundance, 

 whenever they exist. On this point, however, GeoffroyJ observes, 

 that when given to strong or very irritable persons, they may 

 often induce renal pains and bloody urine. They have been suc- 

 cessfully given in intermittents, § and by Terzelius|| were com- 

 mended in leprosy. 



There have been a variety of preparations of Juniper employed 

 in medicine, but principally the Rob, or inspissated juice, a simple 

 and a compound spirit, an essence, and essential oil, besides the 

 simple infusion or decoction. By some, the berries are preferred 

 to be eaten to the number of fifteen to twenty at a time, or the 

 dried berries in powder to the dose of a drachm. The oil of 

 Juniper, on which, indeed, the active principle of the berries is 

 said to depend, is particularly adapted for colic, and to promote 

 menstruation : the dose is from four to six or eight drops on a 

 lump of sugar. The resin may be given in powder from twenty to 



* Woodville ; Med. Bot. i. p. 15. Also, Murray; App. Med. t. i. p. 49. 



f Frankenfeel, Spiess, Lange, &c. 



% Geoffroy ; Mat. Med. tom.iii. p. 635. 



§ Flore Medicale iv. p. 40. 



|| Terz. in Medic. Diastat.p. 169. 



